Method For Carrying Therapeutic Substances Into Cells

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to compositions containing nanoparticles and uses of said composition for transferring therapeutically active substances into cells by means of specifically coated nanoparticles. The chemical design of the particles is such that a large amount thereof is absorbed into the cells. No direct bond between nanoparticle and the therapeutically active substance is required for the transfer into the cells. Thanks to said transfer, an increased efficacy of the substance and simultaneously reduced systemic toxicity is achieved, i.e. an increase in the efficacy while the side effects are reduced.

The present invention relates to compositions containing nanoparticlesand uses of said composition for transferring therapeutically activesubstances into cells, in particular cancer cells. The chemical designof the particles is such that a large amount thereof is absorbed intothe cells. No direct bond between nanoparticle and the therapeuticallyactive substance is required for the transfer into the cells. Thepharmaceutical compositions consisting of nanoparticle and anti-cancerdrug lead to an increased efficacy of the anti-cancer drug as well as toreduced side effects.

It is known that nanoparticles can be absorbed by cells (in particulartumor cells) by means of endocytosis. A method for the preparation ofcell-internizable nanoparticles is mentioned in DE 197 26 282.1. Theabsorption of the nanoparticles can be analyzed by means of in vitrotests of highly pure cell material. DE 199 12 798 C1 describes methodsby means of which any cell from tissue material can be cultivated. Dueto these methods, the chemical design of the particles can be such thata large amount thereof is absorbed into certain tumor cells. Methods forincreasing the efficacy of therapeutic substances by coupling them tonanoparticles as carrier systems are also known and are object ofresearch. In DE 10059151 A, for example, the substances are coupled byionic interactions, wherein the conjugate is to be accumulated in thetumor tissue. The therapeutic substance, however, is not released withinthe cells, but in the insterstitium. Transfer of nanoparticles in tumorcells with the help of antibodies or peptides (e.g. TAT peptide) is alsoknown. That kind of transfer, however, only leads to a comparatively lowaccumulation of nanoparticles in tumor cells and consequently, it cannotbe used for therapeutic purposes.

The present invention aims at providing compositions and uses of saidcompositions for the treatment and prophylaxis of cancer diseases.

Said aim is achieved by the pharmaceutical composition according toclaim 1 as well as by the uses off said pharmaceutical composition.

Further advantageous embodiments result from the dependent claims, theexamples as well as from the figures and the description.

The present invention relates to pharmaceutical compositions consistingof nanoparticles having a high affinity to degenerated cells, of atleast one therapeutically active substance, in particular an anti-cancerdrug and of at least one pharmacologically acceptable carrier, excipientand/or solvent.

The substances conventionally used in galenics (pharmaceuticaltechnology) may also be used as pharmacologically acceptable carriers,excipients and/or solvents, wherein fluid pharmaceutical compositionsare preferred.

Water or physiological saline can be used as solvents. If necessary,cosolvents such as ethanol in a quantity of up to 10 volume % can beused.

More particularly, said pharmaceutical compositions are solutions forinfusion or injection. Such solutions of the nanoparticles, for examplein physiological saline, are suitable for interstitial or respectivelyintratumoral application. Furthermore, intraarterial or intravenousapplication allows for a systemic therapy, affecting the whole body, ofnon-solid and/or metastasizing types of tumors.

In this context, the nanoparticles and the at least one therapeuticsubstance, in particular the at least one anti-cancer drug, don'tnecessarily have to be contained in one single solution, preferably asolution for injection or infusion. The pharmaceutical compositionaccording to the invention can also be composed of two solutions,wherein one solution contains the nanoparticles and the other solutioncontains the at least one therapeutically active substance, inparticular the at least one anti-cancer drug, and both solutions can beapplied at the same time.

Surprisingly it has been found that the nanoparticles described hereinare capable of carrying therapeutic substances, in particularanti-cancer drugs, into degenerated cells, a factor which is essentialto the invention. The term degenerated cells refers to oncogene cells,tumor cells and cancer cells, that is cells which are completelydegenerated or are on their way to complete degeneration. Thus, the termdegenerated cells refers to cells with uncontrolled proliferation.Therefore, the therapeutic substances, particularly anti-cancer drugs,are much better absorbed by the degenerated cells if the nanoparticlesdescribed herein are present than if the nanoparticles are absent. Dueto the improved absorption of the therapeutic substances into thedegenerated cells, the activity of said substances, particularlyanti-cancer drugs, is significantly improved and the side effects ofsaid substances are reduced.

Increase in activity means that the same amount of therapeuticallyactive substance, particularly anti-cancer drug, is more efficient ifthe nanoparticles are present than if they are absent. Reduction of theside effects of therapeutic substances, particularly anti-cancer drugs,is intended to mean that, if nanoparticles are present, the damage tohealthy cells is reduced with respect to the absence of nanoparticles,while the efficacy or the quantity of anti-cancer drug remains the same.

Thus, the increase in efficacy is based on the prerequisite that thetherapeutic substance can be absorbed into the cell simultaneously withthe transfer of a large volume of nanoparticles into the cells.Evidently, the invagination of the cell membrane as a consequence of theparticle formation results in at least partial elimination of thetransmembrane passage control and thus in the formation of a completelynew insertion channel for therapeutically active substances. In thiscontext, it is advantageous if a local increase in the concentration ofnanoparticles and therapeutic substance, particularly anti-cancer drug,in the interstitium can be achieved. This may for example be realized byinterstitial administration of the mixture or by appropriateaccumulation strategies, such as controlled release, recognition ofreceptors or of other biomolecules which are recognized by ligands onthe particle surface (targeting). It is also possible to systemicallyapply the therapeutic substance subsequent to the interstitialadministration of the nanoparticles. Intracellular absorption of thenanoparticles occurs within hours to days; consequently, the substancecan also be administered several times during the phase of endocytosis.A systemic administration of the substance is in particular required ifthe substance has to be metabolized.

The nanoparticles should have a positive surface charge, due to the factthat such nanoparticles are particularly well absorbed by degeneratedcells, particularly cancer cells.

A surface charge on the nanoparticles which is positive underphysiological conditions can be achieved by providing the nanoparticleswith a coating which can be positively polarized and/or positivelyionized.

Such coating which can be positively polarized and/or positively ionizedcan be obtained by coating the nanoparticles with substances which canbe positively polarized and/or positively ionized. Such substances mayfor example contain amino groups or protonizable nitrogen atoms whichare present in protonized form at a corresponding pH.

Positive surface charge is intended to mean the positively chargedsurface or a surface which can be positively charged or positivelypolarized of each nanoparticle, wherein, under physiological conditions,the surface of the nanoparticles should be such that it is positivelypolarized or positively charged.

In a preferred embodiment, the surface or coating, which is positivelycharged, can be positively charged or can be positively polarized, iscovered by a protective layer compensating or even overcompensating forthe positive charges so that an overall neutral or even negativelycharged outer surface is obtained. In the event that the coating, whichis positively charged or can be positively polarized, is sufficientlystable to avoid decomposition by the body tissue or tumor tissue, saidouter layer compensating for the positive charges is not required. In apreferred embodiment, the nanoparticles are provided with a coatingconsisting of polycondensed aminosilanes and possibly with an additionalcoating comprising the carboxylate groups compensating for the positivecharges.

Due to the fact that slow biodegradation is desired, the coating whichis positively charged or can be positively polarized or positivelycharged preferably consists of biologically stable or respectivelybiologically inert substances, such as polymers.

The following polymers may be used as biostable polymers:polyacrylamide, polyacrylonitriles, polyamides, polyetheramides,polyethylen amine, polyimides, polycarbonates, polycarbourethanes,polyvinyl ketones, polyvinyl halogenides, polyvinylidene halogenides,polyvinyl ethers, polyisobutylenes, polyvinyl aromatics, polyvinylesters, polyvinyl pyrrolidones, polyoxymethylenes, polytetramethyleneoxide, polyethylene, polypropylene, polytetrafluoro-ethylene,polyurethanes, polyether urethanes, silicone polyether urethanes,silicone polyurethanes, silicone polycarbonate urethanes, polyolefinelastomers, EPDM rubbers, fluorosilicones, carboxymethyl chitosans,polyaryletherether ketones, polyetherether ketones, polyethyleneterephthalate, polyvalerates, carboxymethylcellulose, cellulose, rayon,rayon triacetates, cellulose nitrates, cellulose acetates, hydroxyethylcellulose, cellulose butyrates, cellulose acetate butyrates, ethyl vinylacetate copolymers, polysulfones, epoxy resins, ABS resins, siliconessuch as polysiloxanes, polydimethylsiloxanes, polyvinyl halogens andcopolymers, cellulose ethers, cellulose triacetates, chitosans andcopolymers and/or mixtures of said substances.

The biologically stable polymers should be provided with a sufficientamount of groups which are positive or can be positively polarized orpositively charged such as amino groups or nitrogen atoms. Usually, thepositively charged coating is provided with an average of at least 50,preferably at least 100 and particularly preferred at least 500 cationicgroups per nanoparticle, which groups can be positively polarized and/orpositively charged, such as amino groups.

In preferred embodiments, said coating consists of monomericaminosilanes, such as 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane,2-aminoethyl-3-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane,trimethoxysilyl-propyl-diethylentriamine orN-(6-aminohexyl)-3-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane, which are polycondensedaccording to known procedures in order to achieve the necessarystability. Suitable methods are described, for instance, in DE 19614136A or DE 19515820 A.

In order to compensate for the charge and to increase celldiscrimination, the positively charged layer or coating can be coveredwith an additional coating of preferably biologically degradablepolymers or respectively biodegradable substances.

The following biodegradable polymers are preferably used:polyvalerolactone, poly-ε-decalactone, polylactonic acid, polyglycolicacid, polylactide, polyglycolides, copolymers from the polylactides andpolyglycolides, poly-ε-caprolactone, polyhydroxybutyric acid,polyhydroxybutyrate, polyhydroxyvalerate,polyhydroxybutyrate-co-valerate, poly(1,4-dioxane-2,3-dione),poly(1,3-dioxane-2-dione), poly-para-dioxanone, polyanhydrides such aspolymaleic acid anhydrides, polyhydroxymethacrylate, fibrin,polycyanoacrylate, polycaprolactone dimethylacrylate, poly-β-maleicacid, polycaprolactone butyl acrylate, multiblock polymers, e.g. fromoligocaprolactonedioles and oligodioxanonedioles, polyetherestermultiblock polymers such as PEG and poly(butylene terephthalate),polypivotolactones, polyglycolic acid trimethyl carbonates,polycaprolactone glycolides, poly(γ-ethylglutamate),poly(DTH-iminocarbonate), poly(DTE-co-DT-carbonate), poly(bisphenolA-iminocarbonate), polyorthoesters, polyglycolic acid trimethylcarbonate, polytrimethyl carbonate, polyiminocarbonates,poly(N-vinyl)-pyrrolidone, polyvinyl alcohols, polyesteramides,glycolated polyesters, polyphosphoesters, polyphosphazenes,poly[(p-carboxyphenoxy)propane], polyhydroxy pentanoic acid,polyanhydrides, polyethylene oxide propylene oxide, soft polyurethanes,polyurethanes having amino acid residues in the backbone,polyetheresters such as polyethylene oxide, polyalkene oxalates,polyorthoesters as well as copolymers thereof, lipids, carrageenans,fibrinogen, starch, collagen, protein based polymers, polyamino acids,synthetic polyamino acids, zein, modified zein, polyhydroxyalkanoates,pectic acid, actinic acid, modified and non modified fibrin and casein,carboxymethyl sulfate, albumin, hyaluronic acid, chitosan andderivatives thereof, heparan sulfates and derivates thereof, heparins,chondroitin sulfate, dextran, β-cyclodextrins, alginates,glycosaminoglycans, saccharides, polysaccharides, proteoglycans,glycoproteins, copolymers with PEG and polypropylene glycol, gum arabic,guar, gelatin, collagen N-hydroxysuccinimide, phospholipids,modifications and copolymers and/or mixtures of the aforementionedsubstances.

Polymers or copolymers based on α-hydroxycarboxylic acids such aspolylactic acid, polylactides, polyglycolic acid, polyglycolides andcopolymers thereof are particularly preferred. Further preferred arepolyols (e.g. polyethylene glycol) and polyacids such as polyacrylicacids and carbohydrates and sugar, particularly dextrans.

In other preferred embodiments the inventive nanoparticles are furtherprovided or respectively covered with a third coating. The coatings mayserve as protective sheath, barrier layer or for cell discriminationpurposes.

A cell specific coating increases the affinity of the nanoparticles tocertain cells, such as certain bacteria cells or certain tumor cells andthus serves for cell discrimination. Preferably, such cell specificnanoparticles accumulate in cells to which they have an increasedaffinity, due to the functionality on their surface, and are thereforetumor specific. Due to said technology, it is, for example, possible todesign tumor specific nanoparticles for certain types of cancer.

In order to further increase the affinity to certain cells, polyclonalantibodies, monoclonal antibodies, humanized antibodies, humanantibodies, chimeric antibodies, recombinant antibodies, bispecificantibodies, antibody fragments, aptamers, Fab fragments, Fc fragments,peptides, peptidomimetics, gap-mers, ribozymes, CpG oligomers, DNAzymes,riboswitches and/or lipids can be coupled to and/or attached to and/orintegrated into the outer layer or sheath of the nanoparticles. Thecompounds are designed such that they are capable of recognizing certaincells, such as tumor cells, and further increase the cell discriminationof the nanoparticles.

The nanoparticles themselves preferably consist of a magnetic material,a ferromagnetic, antiferromagnetic, ferrimagnetic, antiferrimagnetic, orsuperparamagnetic material, further preferred of iron oxides, inparticular superparamagnetic iron oxides or of pure iron provided withan oxide layer. Such nanoparticles can be heated by a magneticalternating field. The tissue containing the nanoparticles can be heatedto more than 50° C. Such high temperatures can be achieved due to thefact that up to 1000 pg and more of iron in form of the nanoparticlescan be absorbed per tumor cell.

Preferably, the nanoparticles consist of iron oxides and particularly ofmagnetite (Fe₃O₄), maghemite (γ-Fe₂O₃) or mixtures of these two oxidesand are preferably superparamagnetic. In general, the preferrednanoparticles can be represented by the formula FeO_(x), wherein Xrepresents a number from 1 to 2. It is, however, also possible toincorporate the nanoparticles in a non-magnetic material, such assilicon oxide (SiO₂) (see below). Preferable, the nanoparticles have adiameter of less than 500 nm. Preferably, the nanoparticles have amedium diameter of 15 nm or are preferably in a size range of 1-100 nmand particularly preferred in the range of 10-20 nm.

In addition to the magnetic materials of the formula FeO_(X), wherein Xis a number in the range of 1.0 to 2.0, materials of the general formulaM(II)Fe₂O₄ with M=Co, Ni, Mn, Zn, Cu, Cd, Ba or other ferrites can alsobe used according to the invention. Preferably, metal atoms which differfrom iron atoms are contained in a quantity of no more than 70 metalatom %, particularly no more than 35 metal atom %. Preferably, thenanoparticles consist to more than 98% per weight of iron oxide,containing both Fe(III) and Fe(II) in a ratio of preferably 1:1 to 1:3.Additionally, silica or polymer particles, into which the magneticmaterials such as those mentioned herein are incorporated and/or towhich they are attached, are also suitable.

The nanoparticle cores used may also consist of non-magnetic materials.For example, nanoparticles from polymers (e.g. PLGA, polyacrylamide,polybutyl cyanoacrylate), metals as well as from all oxidic materials(e.g. MgO, CaO, TiO₂, ZrO₂, SiO₂, Al₂O₃) may be used. Due to the factthat the capacity to perform endocytosis does not depend on the core ofthe particles, but on the sheath, any material which can be coated withtumor specific sheaths by means of the above described methods issuitable according to the invention.

Preferably, the nanoparticle or nanoscale particles have an averageparticle diameter of no more than 100 nm, preferably no more than 50 nmand particularly preferred no more than 30 nm. Preferably, the mediumparticle diameter is of 1-40 nm, further preferred of 3-30 nm andparticularly preferred of 5-25 nm.

Surprisingly, such nanoparticles are very well suited for the transferof therapeutic substances into certain cell types thereby causing asignificant increase in the efficacy of the therapeutic substances. Saidtherapeutic substances are preferably anti-cancer drugs, cytostatics,cytostatic agents, antiproliferative agents, antiphlogistic agents,anti-migration agents, antiangiogenic agents, anti-inflammatory agents,antibacterial agents and/or microtubule inhibitors.

Alkylation means, antibiotics with cytostatic characteristics,antimetabolites, microtubule inhibitors and topoisomerase inhibitors,compounds and other cytostatics containing platinum such asasparaginase, tretinoin, alkaloids, podophyllotoxins, taxanes andmiltefosine®, hormones, immunomodulators, monoclonal antibodies, signaltransductors (molecules for signal transduction) and cytokins can beused as cytotoxic and/or cytostatic compounds, i.e. chemical compoundshaving cytotoxic and/or cytostatic characteristics.

Examples for alkylation means include amongst others: chlorethamine,cyclophosphamide, trofosfamide, ifosfamide, melphalan, chlorambucil,busulfan, thiotepa, carmustine, lomustine, dacarbazine, procarbazine,temozolomide, treosulfan, estramustine and nimustine.

Examples for antibiotics having cytostatic characteristics includedaunorubicin and liposomal daunorubicin, doxorubicin (adriamycin),dactinomycin, mitomycin C, bleomycin, epirubicin (4-epi-adriamycin),idarubicin, dactinomycin, mitoxantrone, amsacrine and actinomycin D.

Methotrexate, 5-fluorouracil, 6-thioguanine, 6-mercaptopurine,fludarabine, cladribine, pentostatin, gemcitabine, cytarabine,azathioprine, raltitrexed, capecitabine, cytosine arabinoside,thioguanine and mercaptopurine can be mentioned as examples forantimetabolites (antimetabolic agents).

Vincristine, vinblastine, vindesine, etoposide as well as teniposide areclassified as alkaloids and podophyllotoxins. In addition, compoundscontaining platinum can be used according to the invention. Cisplatin,carboplatin and oxaliplatin are examples for compounds containingplatinum. Among the microtubule inhibitors are counted for examplealkaloids such as vinca alkaloids (vincristine, vinblastine, vindesine,vinorelbine) and paclitaxel (Taxol®) as well as derivatives ofpaclitaxel. Examples for topoisomerase inhibitors include etoposide,teniposide, camptothecin, topotecan and irinotecan.

Paclitaxel and docetaxel are examples for taxane compounds and the othercytostatic agents (other cytostatics) include for examplehydroxycarbamide (hydroxyurea), imatinib, Miltefosine®, amsacrine,topotecan (topoisomerase-I inhibitor), pentostatin, bexarotene,tretinoin and asparaginase. Among the -representatives of the compoundclass of monoclonal antibodies are among others trastuzumab (also knownas Herceptin®), alemtuzumab (also known as MabCampath®) and rituximab(also known as MabThera®).

According to the invention, hormones such as for example glucocorticoids(prednisone), estrogens (fosfestrol, estramustine), LHRH (buserelin,goserelin, leuprorelin, triptorelin), flutamide, cyproterone acetate,tamoxifen, toremifen, aminoglutethimide, formestane, exemestane,letrozole and anastrozole can also be used. Among the classes ofimmunomodulators, cytokines, antibodies and signal transductors arecounted interleukin-2, interferon-α, erythropoietin, G-CSF, trastuzumab(Herceptin®), rituximab (MabThera®), gefitinib (Iressa®), ibritumomab(Zevalin®), levamisole as well as retinoids.

Further possible therapeutic substances include: actinomycin D,aminoglutethimide, anthracyclines, aromatase inhibitors, antiestrogens,buserelin, folic acid antagonists, goserelin, hormone antagonists,hycamtin, hydroxyurea, mitosis inhibitors, tamoxifen, testolactone,sirolimus (rapamycin), everolimus, pimecrolimus, somatostatin,tacrolimus, roxithromycin, daunamycin, ascomycin, bafilomycin,erythromycin, midecamycin, josamycin, concanamycin, clarithromycin,troleandomycin, folimycin, cerivastatin, simvastatin, lovastatin,fluvastatin, rosuvastatin, atorvastatin, pravastatin, pitavastatin,4-hydroxyoxycyclophosphamide, trofosfamide, bendamustine, thymosin α-1,aclarubicin, fludarabine-5′-dihydrogenphosphate, antagonists of purineand pyrimidine bases, hydroxycarbamide, aldesleukin, pegaspargase,letrozole, adriamycin, azithromycin, spiramycin, cepharanthine,epothilone A and B, mitoxantrone, azathioprine, mycophenolate mofetil,c-myc antisense, b-myc antisense, betulinic acid, camptothecin,camptothecin derivatives, melanocyte stimulating hormone (α-MSH),activated protein C, IL 1-β inhibitor, fumaric acid and esters thereof,dermicidin, calcipotriol, tacalcitol, lapachol, β-lapachone,podophyllotoxin, betulin, podophyllic acid 2-ethylhydrazide,molgramostim (rhuGM-CSF), peginterferon α-2b, lenograstim (r-HuG-CSF),filgrastim, macrogol, dacarbazine, cephalomannine, trastuzumab,exemestane, basiliximab, daclizumab, selectin (cytokine antagonist),CETP inhibitor, cadherins, cytokinin inhibitors, COX-2 inhibitor,angiopeptin, ciprofloxacin, fluroblastin, bFGF antagonists, probucol,prostaglandins, 1,11-dimethoxycanthin-6-one,1-hydroxy-11-methoxycanthin-6-one, scopoletin, colchicine, NO donors,pentaerythrityl tetranitrate, sydnoimines, S-nitroso derivatives,staurosporine, β-estradiol, α-estradiol, estriol, estrone, ethinylestradiol, fosfestrol, medroxyprogesterone, estradiol cypionates,estradiol benzoates, tranilast, kamebakaurin, verapamil, tyrosine kinaseinhibitors (tyrphostins), ciclosporin A, paclitaxel and derivativesthereof such as 6-α-hydroxy-paclitaxel, baccatin, taxotere,mofebutazone, acemetacin, diclofenac, lonazolac, dapsone,o-carbamoyl-phenoxyacetic acid, lidocaine, ketoprofen, mefenamic acid,piroxicam, meloxicam, chloroquine phosphate, penicillamine,hydroxychloroquine, auranofin, sodium aurothiomalate, oxaceprol,celecoxib, β-sitosterol, ademetionine, myrtecaine, polidocanol,nonivamide, levomenthol, benzocaine, aescin, ellipticine, D-24851(Calbiochem), colcemid, cytochalasin A-E, indanocine, nocodazole,bacitracin, vitronectin receptor antagonists, azelastine, free nucleicacids, nucleic acids incorporated into virus transmitters, DNA and RNAfragments, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1, plasminogen activatorinhibitor-2, antisense oligonucleotides, VEGF inhibitors, IGF 1, activeagents from the group of antibiotics such as cefadroxil, cefazolin,cefaclor, cefoxitin, tobramycin, gentamicin, penicillins, dicloxacillin,oxacillin, sulfonamides, metronidazole, antithrombotics, argatroban,aspirin, abciximab, synthetic antithrombin, bivalirudin, coumadin,enoxaparin, GpIIb/IIIa platelet membrane receptor, antibodies to factorXa inhibitor, heparin, hirudin, r-hirudin, PPACK, protamine,prourokinase, streptokinase, warfarin, urokinase, vasodilators,dipyramidole, trapidil, nitroprussides, PDGF antagonists,triazolopyrimidine, seramin, ACE inhibitors, captopril, cilazapril,lisinopril, enalapril, losartan, thioprotease inhibitors, prostacyclin,vapiprost, interferon α, β and γ, histamine antagonists, serotoninblockers, apoptosis inhibitors, apoptosis regulators, NF-kB or Bcl-xLantisense oligonucleotides, halofuginone, nifedipine, tocopherol,molsidomine, tea polyphenols, epicatechin gallate, epigallocatechingallate, boswellic acids and derivatives thereof, leflunomide, anakinra,etanercept, sulfasalazine, etoposide, tetracycline, triamcinolone,mutamycin, procainimide, retinoic acid, quinidine, disopyrimide,flecainide, propafenone, sotalol, amiodarone, natural and syntheticallyobtained steroids such as bryophyllin A, inotodiol, maquiroside A,ghalakinoside, mansonine, strebloside, hydrocortisone, betamethasone,dexamethasone, fenoprofen, ibuprofen, indomethacin, naproxen,phenylbutazone, acyclovir, ganciclovir, zidovudine, antimycotics,clotrimazole, flucytosine, griseofulvin, ketoconazole, miconazole,nystatin, terbinafine, chloroquine, mefloquine, quinine, naturalterpenoids, hippocaesculin, barringtogenol-C21-angelate,14-dehydroagrostistachin, agroskerin, agrostistachin,17-hydroxyagrostistachin, ovatodiolides, 4,7-oxycycloanisomelic acid,baccharinoids B1, B2, B2 and B7, tubeimoside, bruceanol A, B and C,bruceantinoside C, yadanziosides N and P, isodeoxyelephantopin,tomenphantopin A and B, coronarin A, B, C and D, ursolic acid, hyptaticacid A, zeorin, iso-iridogermanal, maytenfoliol, effusantin A, excisaninA and B, longikaurin B, sculponeatin C, kamebaunin, leukamenin A and B,13,18-dehydro-6-alpha-senecioyloxychaparrine, taxamairin A and B,regenilol, triptolide, cymarin, apocymarin, aristolochic acid,anopterin, hydroxyanopterin, anemonin, protoanemonin, berberine,cheliburin chloride, cicutoxin, sinococulin, combrestratin A and B,cudraisoflavone A, curcumin, dihydronitidine, nitidine chloride,12-beta-hydroxypregnadiene-3,20-dione, bilobol, ginkgol, ginkgolic acid,helenalin, indicine, indicine-N-oxide, lasiocarpine, inotodiol,glycoside 1a, justicidin A and B, larreatin, malloterin,mallotochromanol, isobutyryimallotochromanol, maquiroside A, marchantinA, maytansin, lycoridicin, margetine, pancratistatin, liriodenine,bisparthenolidin, oxoushinsunine, aristolactam-AII, periplocoside A,deoxypsorospermin, psychorubin, ricin A, sanguinarine, manwu wheat acid,methylsorbifolin, chromones of spathelia, stizophyllin, akagerine,dihydrousambaraensine, hydroxyusambarine, strychnopentamine,strychnophylline, usambarine, usambarensine, daphnoretin, lariciresinol,methoxylariciresinol, syringaresinol, umbelliferone, afromoson,acetylvismione B, desacetylvismione A, vismione A and B.

Thus, it is essential to the invention that the at least onetherapeutically active substance is administered in combination withcell-internizable nanoparticles which, to a large extent, are absorbedby the tumor cells by means of endocytosis. Nanoparticles, such as thosedescribed, for example, in DE 197 26 282 A are absorbed to a higherextent by tumor cells than by normal cells. As could be shown by testswith iron oxide nanoparticles in vitro, in certain tumor cell lines morethan 1000 pg/cell iron are absorbed in form of nanoparticles. For saidpurpose, the nanoparticles are transferred into the cells in largevolumes, as could be demonstrated by electron microscope analysis. Intests in vitro it has now surprisingly been found that theadministration of pharmaceutical compounds of said nanoparticles and atleast one therapeutically active substance, in particular a cytostaticor an anti-cancer drug, leads to an increase in the efficacy of theadministered substance. Said effect has also been observed when no bond(covalent, ionic or adsorptive) was existent between the nanoparticlesand the cytostatic. A bond between cytostatic and nanoparticle onlyinfluences said results if, due to the binding reaction, the cytostaticloses its efficacy, or if the bond is strong enough to prevent therelease of the cytostatic upon intracellular absorption.

Thus, the pharmaceutical compositions consisting of said nanoparticlesand at least one therapeutically active substance are perfectly suitedfor the prophylaxis and treatment of cancer diseases, ulcers, tumors,carcinomas as well as cells which are defective in their proliferation.

Examples for types of cancers and tumors, for which the inventivecompositions consisting of nanoparticle and active substance can be usedinclude the following: adenocarcinomas, choroidal melanoma, acuteleukemia, acoustic neurinoma, ampullary carcinoma, anal carcinoma,astrocytomas, basal cell carcinoma, pancreatic cancer, connective tissuetumor, bladder cancer, bronchial carcinoma, non-small cell bronchialcarcinoma, breast cancer, Burkitt's lymphoma, corpus carcinoma, CUPsyndrome, cancer of the large intestine, cancer of the small intestine,tumors of the small intestine, ovarian cancer, endometrial carcinoma,ependymoma, epithelial cancers, Ewing tumors, gastrointestinal cancers,gall bladder cancers, gall carcinomas, uterine cancer, cervical cancer,glioblastomas, gynecological cancers, tumors of ear, nose and throat,hematological neoplasias, hairy cell leukemia, urethral cancer, skincancer, brain tumors (gliomas), brain metastases, testicular cancer,hypophysis tumor, carcinoids, Kaposi's sarcoma, laryngeal cancer, germcell tumor, bone cancer, colorectal carcinoma, head and neck tumors(tumors situated in the region of the neck, nose and ears), coloncarcinoma, craniopharyngiomas, cancer in the area of the mouth and onthe lip, liver cancer, liver metastases, leukemia, tumor of the eyelid,lung cancer, malignant lymphoma (Hodgkin/Non-Hodgkin), lymphomas,stomach cancer, malignant melanoma, malignant neoplasma, malignomas ofthe gastrointestinal tract, breast carcinoma, rectal cancer,medulloblastomas, melanoma, meningiomas, Hodgkin's disease, mycosisfungoides, nose cancer, neurinoma, neuroblastoma, kidney cancer, renalcell carcinoma, Non-Hodgkin's lymphomas, oligodendroglioma, esophagealcarcinoma, osteolytic tumors and osteoblastic tumors, osteosarcoma,ovarian carcinoma, pancreatic carcinoma, penile carcinoma, plasmacytoma,squamous cell carcinoma of the head and the neck, prostate cancer,throat cancer, rectal carcinoma, retinoblastoma, vaginal cancer, thyroidcarcinoma, Schneeberg lung cancer, esophageal cancer, spinocellularcarcinoma, T-cell lymphoma (Mycosis fungoides), thymoma, tube carcinoma,eye tumors, urethral carcinoma, urological tumors, urothelial carcinoma,vulvar carcinoma, wart appearance, soft tissue tumors, soft tissuesarcoma, Wilm's tumor, cervical carcinoma and tongue cancer.

Solid tumors are particularly preferred. Prostate carcinomas, braintumors, sarcomas, cervical carcinomas, ovarian carcinomas, breastcarcinomas, bronchial carcinomas, melanomas, head and neck tumors,esophageal carcinomas, rectal carcinomas pancreatic, bladder and renalcarcinomas, metastases in the liver, in the brain and in the lymph nodesare particularly preferred.

Furthermore, the application and the use of the inventive compositionsin combination with conventional hyperthermia, magnetic fluidhyperthermia or respectively thermotherapy with magnetic fluids,radiotherapy and/or in combination with conventional chemotherapy areparticularly preferred. Thus, conventional methods for the treatment ofcancers are advantageously complemented by the inventive compositions.

Accordingly, the present invention is also directed to combinations ofan inventive pharmaceutical composition and hyperthermia, thermotherapy,radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy.

Examples for such combinations include the use of an inventivepharmaceutical composition in combination with magnetic fluidhyperthermia or respectively thermotherapy with magnetic fluids. Forthis purpose, an alternating magnetic field acts as external stimulationfor triggering different relaxation processes of the nanoparticles,provided that superparamagnetic nanoparticles are used. Amongst others,said processes result in the nanoparticles and their surroundings beingheated. According to the invention, said processes triggered by thealternating magnetic field are used for heating the degenerated cells,whereby the therapeutically active substance can cause the death of theconcerned cell even more rapidly.

Thus, the pharmaceutical compositions are used both for the treatmentand the prophylaxis of diseases characterized by degenerated cellspecies or foreign cells and in which the properties of the inventivenanoparticles regarding the discrimination between foreign orrespectively degenerated and healthy self cells and regarding thetransfer of therapeutically active substances into said cells can beadvantageously used. Degenerated cells are in particular cancer cells,or respectively cells which are defective in their proliferation andstenotic or restenotic tissue. Foreign cells include in particularbacteria.

The efficacy of the active ingredients is increased by the capacity ofthe nanoparticles to transfer active ingredients into degenerated cells.If the application of the pharmaceutical composition comprisingnanoparticles and therapeutically active substance is additionallycombined with radiotherapy or chemotherapy, or with hyperthermia orhyperthermia and chemotherapy or with hyperthermia and radiotherapy, theefficacy of the treatment can be further improved.

According to the invention, the efficacy of the active ingredients isthus increased as a consequence of an increased local, locoregional orintracellular concentration of active ingredients and the systemictoxicity and side effects of the therapeutically active substances arereduced.

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 shows RUSIRS1 cells 3 hrs after the addition of mitomycin in 0.9%NaCl

FIG. 2 shows RUSIRS1 cells 3 hrs after the addition of mitomycin in 0.9%NaCl+nanoparticle

FIG. 3 shows RUSIRS1 cells 24 hrs after the addition of mitomycin in0.9% NaCl

FIG. 4 shows RUSIRS1 cells 24 hrs after the addition of mitomycin in0.9% of NaCl+nanoparticle

FIG. 5 shows RUSIRS1 cells 48 hrs after the addition of mitomycin in0.9% NaCl

FIG. 6 shows RUSIRS1 cells 48 hrs after the addition of mitomycin in0.9% NaCl+nanoparticle

FIG. 7 shows RUSIRS 1 cells after 48 hrs (control)

FIG. 8 shows BT20 cells after 72 hrs as control with cefamandole butwithout nanoparticles

FIG. 9 shows BT20 cells after 72 hrs of incubation with nanoparticlesand cefamandole

FIG. 10 shows BT20 cells after 72 hrs of incubation with nanoparticlesand cefamandole

FIG. 11 shows WiDr cells after 72 hrs as control with cefamandole butwithout nanoparticles

FIG. 12 shows WiDr cells after 72 hrs of incubation with nanoparticlesand cefamandole

FIG. 13 shows WiDr cells after 72 hrs of incubation with nanoparticlesand cefamandole

EXAMPLES Example 1

Increase in the Efficacy of the Cytostatic Mitomycin (in vitro)

The increase in the efficacy of mitomycin for the treatment of tumorcells could be proved by tests in vitro. The tests in vitro wereperformed with the glioblastoma human cell line RUSIRS 1 (brain tumor).The glioblastoma cells were taken from tumor tissue of a patient andcultivated as described in DE 199 12 798 C1. 2×10⁶ RUSIRS 1 cells,respectively, were prepared in a 75 cm³ cell culture bottle with 25 mlof cell culture medium (D-MEM+20% FBS+1.2 ml of pyruvate) for testingthe efficacy of the mitomycin/nanoparticle mixture. 136 μl of magneticfluid MFL AS M01 (iron oxide nanoparticle coated with polycondensedN-(2-aminoethyl)-3-(trimethoxysilyl)propylamine, manufacturer: MagForceNanotechnologies GmbH, Berlin, Germany) (c_(Fe)=2 mol/l) and 390 μl ofmitomycin solution (1 mg/ml in 0.9% NaCl) were added to said cellsuspension. Before being added to the cells, the samples of thenanoparticles were heated to 37° C. for 15 minutes and allowed to restat RT for 10 minutes. A control sample with mitomycin but withoutnanoparticles was prepared in the same way.

The influence of the nanoparticles on the efficacy of mitomycin can beillustrated by means of FIGS. 1-6. Cells to which nothing but amitomycin solution had been added only showed significant damage after48 hrs of incubation. By contrast, cells which were incubated with thecytostatic and the particles already showed significant damage after 3hrs. The absorption of the iron oxide nanoparticles into the cells canbe proven by a brown coloration of the cell. Control experiments showedthat the nanoparticles alone (without mitomycin) are also absorbed, butdo not cause a similarly high cell damage. Rapid cell damage (after 3hrs) occurs only if particle and mitomycin are present at the same time.Consequently, mitomycin was also transferred by the endocytosis of theparticles, thereby causing significant cell damage.

Example 2

Increase in the Efficacy of the Antibiotic Cefamandole (in vitro)

Cefamandole (CAS No 30034-03-8) is used to combat bacterial infections.In 2000, an efficacy against cancer cells was surprisingly found onbiopsy material of liver metastases (MagForce Nanotechnologies). Thissubstance's potential to combat cancer cells, however, is to beconsidered to be rather low. Our experiments showed that a destructionof tumor cells (in vitro), usually, can only be achieved by using aconcentration of 0.5 mg/ml (concentration in the cell culture medium) ormore. It is, however, possible to drastically increase the efficacy ofcefamandole in the treatment of tumor cells by the simultaneousapplication of nanoparticles.

The experiments in vitro were carried out with the cell lines BT20(breast carcinoma) and WiDr (colon carcinoma). The tumor cells weretaken from tumor tissue of a patient and cultivated as described in DE199 12 798 C1. 2×10⁶ cells, respectively, were prepared in a 75 cm³ cellculture bottle with 25 ml of cell culture medium (RPMI +10% FBS+1.2 mlof pyruvate for WiDr cells, or respectively BME+10% FBS+pyruvate+5 ml ofnon-essential amino acids+5 ml glutamine for BT20 cells) for testing theefficacy of the cefamandole/nanoparticle mixture. 136 μl of magneticfluid MFL AS M01 (iron oxide nanoparticle coated with polycondensedN-(2-aminoethyl)-3-(trimethoxysilyl)propylamine, manufacturer: MagForceNanotechnologies GmbH, Berlin, Germany) (c_(Fe)=2 mol/l) and 390 μl ofcefamandole solution (stock solution 1 mg/ml in 0.9% NaCl) were added tosaid cell suspension. Therefore, the concentration of cefamandole in thecell culture medium (25 ml) was 0.016 mg/ml and thus significantly belowthe threshold of efficacy of pure cefamandole.

After 72 hrs of incubation, significant cell damage could be observed,as-evidenced by FIGS. 7-12. After 72 hrs, 30.5% of the BT20 cells and24% of the WiDr cells had died. Neither cefamandole in the selectedconcentration, nor the nanoparticle alone, are capable of causing celldeath (0% of dead cells). Only the combination of cefamandole andnanoparticles leads to said significant damage of the tumor cells whichis due to the transfer of cefamandole into the cells.

Example 3

Preparation of a Pharmaceutical Composition Consisting of Nanoparticles,Pharmacological Active Ingredient and Solvent

About 1 mg of a cytostatic (or 1 to 10 mmol, preferably 2 to 6 mmol of acytostatic) is added to one ml of an aqueous dispersion ofsuperparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (iron concentration of 2ml/l).

In the case that the cytostatic is not sufficiently soluble in water,cosolvents in a quantity of up to 20 volume % of the solution can beused. DMSO, DMS, ethanol, acetic acid ethyl ester or otherphysiologically acceptable solvents may be used as cosolvents.

Example 4

1 mg of carmustine or 1 mg of cisplatin or 1 mg of epirubicin or 1.5 mgof gemcitabine or 1 mg of imatinib or 0.8 mg of paclitaxel or 1.2 mg ofvinblastine or 1 mg of vincristine or 1.5 mg of adriamycin or 1 mg ofoxacillin or 1 mg of tetracycline or 1 mg of temozolomide are added toone ml of the magnetic fluid MFL AS M01 (iron oxide nanoparticle coatedwith polycondensed N-(2-aminoethyl)-3-(trimethoxysilyl)propylamine,manufacturer: MagForce Nanotechnologies AG, Berlin, Germany) (c_(Fe)=2mol/l) and thoroughly mixed.

Example 5

Increase in the Efficacy of the Cytostatic Mitoxantrone (in vitro)

Primary prostate carcinoma cells were cultivated as described in DE 19912 798 C1. 2×10⁶ cells, respectively, were prepared in a 75 cm³ cellculture bottle with 25 ml of cell culture medium for testing theefficacy of the mitoxantrone/nanoparticle mixture. 136 ηl of magneticfluid MFL AS M01 (iron oxide nanoparticle coated with polycondensedN-(2-aminoethyl)-3-(trimethoxysilyl)propylamine, manufacturer: MagForceNanotechnologies GmbH, Berlin, Germany) (c_(Fe)=2 mol/l) and 390 μl ofmitoxantrone solution (stock solution 1 mg/ml in 0.9% NaCl) were addedto said cell suspension. Significant cell damage could be observed after72 hrs of incubation. There was evidence for a similar effect when thecytostatics epirubicin and docetaxel (dissolved in polyoxyethylatedsorbitol; polysorbate 80) were used.

Example 6

Increase in the Efficacy of the Cytostatic 5-Fluorouracil (in vitro)

Primary rectal carcinoma cells were cultivated as described in DE 199 12798 C1. 2×10⁶ cells, respectively, were prepared in a 75 cm³ cellculture bottle with 25 ml of cell culture medium for testing theefficacy of the 5-fluorouracil/nanoparticle mixture. 136 μl of magneticfluid MFLAS M01 (iron oxide nanoparticle coated with polycondensedN-(2-aminoethyl)-3-(trimethoxysilyl)propylamine, manufacturer: MagForceNanotechnologies GmbH, Berlin, Germany) (c_(Fe)=2 mol/l) and 390 μl of5-fluorouracil solution (stock solution 1 mg/ml in 0.9% NaCl) were addedto said cell suspension. Significant cell damage could be observed after72 hrs of incubation. There was evidence for a similar effect when thecytostatics irinotecan and oxaliplatin were used.

Example 7

Increase in the Efficacy of the Cytostatic Carboplatin (in vitro)

Primary bronchial carcinoma cells (non-small cell lung cancer; NSCLC)were cultivated as described in DE 199 12 798 C1. 2×10⁶ cells,respectively, were prepared in a 75 cm³ cell culture bottle with 25 mlof cell culture medium for testing the efficacy of thecarboplatin/nanoparticle mixture. 136 μl of magnetic fluid MFL AS M01(iron oxide nanoparticle coated with polycondensedN-(2-aminoethyl)-3-(trimethoxysilyl)propylamine, manufacturer: MagForceNanotechnologies GmbH, Berlin, Germany) (c_(Fe)=2 mol/l) and 390 μl ofcarboplatin solution (stock solution 1 mg/ml in 0.9% NaCl) are added tosaid solution. Significant cell damage could be observed after 72 hrs ofincubation. There was evidence for a similar effect when the cytostaticsepirubicin and docetaxel (dissolved in polyoxyethylated sorbitol;polysorbate 80) were used.

Examples 8-196

Corresponding to the experiment procedure according to example 2, thefollowing 7 cell lines were tested in vitro with the active ingredientslisted in table 1: a) glioblastoma human cell line RUSIRS 1; b) breastcarcinoma cell lines BT20; c) colon carcinoma cell line WiDR; d)bronchial carcinoma cells NSCLC, e) rectal carcinoma cells and f)prostate carcinoma cell line DU 145.

In all cases, an increased activity of the cytostatic could be observed.The increase in activity is indicated in parentheses after therespective cytostatic, wherein (+) means an increase of about 5% to 80%and (++) means an increase of 80% to 500%.

TABLE 1 increase in the activity of cytostatics glioblastoma breastcolon prostate human cell carcinoma carcinoma bronchial rectal carcinomaneuroglioma line cell lines cell line carcinoma carcinoma cell line DUcell line RUSIRS1 BT20 WiDr cells NSCLC cells 145 H4 letrozole letrozoleletrozole letrozole letrozole letrozole letrozole (+) (+) (+) (+) (+)(+) (+) tamoxifen tamoxifen tamoxifen tamoxifen tamoxifen tamoxifen (+)(+) (++) (+) (+) (+) somatostatin somatostatin somatostatin somatostatinsomatostatin somatostatin (+) (+) (+) (+) (++) (+) tacrolimus tacrolimustacrolimus tacrolimus tacrolimus tacrolimus (+) (+) (+) (+) (+) (++)ascomycin ascomycin ascomycin ascomycin ascomycin ascomycin (++) (+) (+)(+) (+) (+) cerivastatin cerivastatin cerivastatin cerivastatincerivastatin cerivastatin cerivastatin (+) (+) (+) (+) (++) (+) (+)simvastatin simvastatin simvastatin simvastatin simvastatin simvastatinsimvastatin (+) (+) (+) (++) (+) (+) (+) bendamustine bendamustinebendamustine bendamustine (+) (+) (+) (+) tobramycin tobramycintobramycin tobramycin tobramycin tobramycin tobramycin (+) (+) (+) (+)(+) (+) (+) ganciclovir ganciclovir ganciclovir ganciclovir ganciclovirganciclovir ganciclovir (++) (+) (+) (+) (+) (+) (+) acyclovir acycloviracyclovir acyclovir acyclovir acyclovir acyclovir (+) (+) (+) (+) (++)(+) (+) ibuprofen ibuprofen ibuprofen ibuprofen ibuprofen ibuprofenibuprofen (+) (+) (++) (+) (+) (+) (+) paclitaxel paclitaxel paclitaxelpaclitaxel paclitaxel paclitaxel paclitaxel (+) (++) (+) (+) (+) (+) (+)diclofenac diclofenac diclofenac diclofenac diclofenac diclofenac (+)(+) (+) (++) (+) (+) azelastine azelastine azelastine azelastineazelastine (+) (+) (+) (+) (+) oxacillin oxacillin oxacillin oxacillinoxacillin oxacillin oxacillin (+) (+) (++) (+) (+) (++) (+) nifedipinenifedipine nifedipine nifedipine nifedipine nifedipine (+) (+) (+) (+)(+) (+) leflunomide leflunomide leflunomide leflunomide leflunomideleflunomide leflunomide (+) (+) (+) (+) (+) (+) (+) tetracyclinetetracycline tetracycline tetracycline tetracycline tetracyclinetetracycline (+) (+) (+) (+) (++) (++) (+) rapamycin rapamycin rapamycinrapamycin rapamycin rapamycin rapamycin (+) (++) (+) (+) (++) (+) (+)imatinib imatinib imatinib imatinib imatinib imatinib imatinib (+) (+)(++) (+) (+) (+) (+) vincristine vincristine vincristine vincristinevincristine vincristine vincristine (+) (++) (+) (++) (++) (+) (+)gemcitabine gemcitabine gemcitabine gemcitabine gemcitabine gemcitabinegemcitabine (+) (+) (+) (++) (+) (+) (+) cladribine cladribinecladribine cladribine cladribine cladribine (+) (+) (++) (++) (+) (+)idarubicin idarubicin idarubicin idarubicin idarubicin idarubicinidarubicin (++) (+) (+) (++) (+) (+) (+) busulfan busulfan busulfanbusulfan busulfan (+) (+) (++) (+) (+) chlorambucil chlorambucilchlorambucil chlorambucil chlorambucil chlorambucil chlorambucil (+) (+)(++) (+) (+) (+) (++) carmustine carmustine carmustine carmustinecarmustine carmustine carmustine (+) (+) (+) (++) (+) (+) (+) cisplatincisplatin cisplatin cisplatin cisplatin cisplatin cisplatin (+) (+) (+)(++) (+) (+) (++)

1-14. (canceled)
 15. Pharmaceutical composition consisting ofnanoparticles having a high affinity to degenerated cells, and at leastone therapeutic substance selected from the group comprising:actinomycin D, aminoglutethimide, amsacrine, anastrozole, antagonists ofpurine and pyrimidine bases, anthracyclines, aromatase inhibitors,asparaginase, antiestrogens, bexarotene, bleomycin, buserelin, busulfan,camptothecin derivatives, capecitabine, carboplatin, carmustine,chlorambucil, cisplatin, cladribine, cyclophosphamide, cytarabine,cytosine arabinoside, alkylating cytostatics, dacarbazine, dactinomycin,daunorubicin, docetaxel, doxorubicin (adriamycin), doxorubicin lipo,epirubicin, estramustine, etoposide, exemestane, fludarabine,fluorouracil, folic acid antagonists, formestane, gemcitabine,glucocorticoids, goserelin, hormones and hormone antagonists, hycamtin,hydroxyurea, idarubicin, ifosfamide, imatinib, irinotecan, letrozole,leuprorelin, lomustine, melphalan, mercaptopurine, methotrexate,miltefosine, mitomycins, mitosis inhibitors, mitoxantrone, nimustine,oxaliplatin, pentostatin, procarbazine, tamoxifen, temozolomide,teniposide, testolactone, thiotepa, thioguanine, topoisomeraseinhibitors, topotecan, treosulfan, tretinoin, triptorelin, trofosfamide,vinblastine, vincristine, vindesine, vinorelbine, cytostatically activeantibiotics, sirolimus (rapamycin), everolimus, pimecrolimus,somatostatin, tacrolimus, roxithromycin, ascomycin, bafilomycin,erythromycin, midecamycin, josamycin, concanamycin, clarithromycin,troleandomycin, folimycin, cerivastatin, simvastatin, lovastatin,fluvastatin, rosuvastatin, atorvastatin, pravastatin, pitavastatin,4-hydroxyoxycyclophosphamide, bendamustine, thyrnosin α-1, aclarubicin,fludarabine-5′-dihydrogen phosphate, hydroxycarbamide, aldesleukin,pegaspargase, adriamycin, azithromycin, spiramycin, cepharanthine,epothilone A and B, azathioprine, mycophenolate mofetil, c-mycantisense, b-myc antisense, betulinic acid, camptothecin, melanocytestimulating hormone (α-MSH), activated protein C, IL-1□

inhibitor fumaric acid and esters thereof, dermicidin, calcipotriol,tacalcitol, lapachol, β-lapachone, podophyllotoxin, betulin, podophyllicacid 2-ethyl hydrazide, molgramostim (rhuGM-CSF), peginterferon α-2b,lenograstim (r-HuG-CSF), filgrastim, macrogol, cephalomannine,trastuzumab, basiliximab, daclizumab, selectin (cytokine antagonist),CETP inhibitor, cadherins, cytokinin inhibitors, COX-2 inhibitor,angiopeptin, ciprofloxacin, fluroblastin, bFGF antagonists, probucol,prostaglandins, 1,11-dimethoxyeanthin-6-one,1-hydroxy-11-methoxycanthin-6-one, scopoletin, colchicine, NO donors,pentaerythrityl tetranitrate, sydnonimines, S-nitroso derivatives,staurosporine, β-estradiol, α-estradiol, estriol, estrone, ethinylestradiol, fosfestrol, medroxyprogesterone, estradiol cypionates,estradiot benzoates, tranilast, kamebakaurin, verapamil, tyrosine kinaseinhibitors (tyrphostins), ciclosporin A, paclitaxel and derivativesthereof such as 6-α-hydroxy paclitaxel, baccatin, taxotere,mofebutazone, acemetacin, diclofenac, lonazolac, dapsone,o-carbamoyl-phenoxy-acetic acid, lidocaine, ketoprofen, mefenamic acid,piroxicam, meloxicam, chloroquine phosphate, penicillamine,hydroxychloroquine, auranofin, sodium aurothiomalate, oxaceprol,celecoxib, β-sitosterol, ademetionine, myrtecaine, polidocanol,nonivamide, levomenthol, benzocaine, aescin, elipticine, D-24851(Calbiochem), colcemid, cytochalasin A-E, indanocine, nocodazole,bacitracin, vitronectin receptor antagonists, azelastine, free nucleicacids, nucleic acids incorporated into virus transmitters, DNA and RNAfragments, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1, plasminogen activatorinhibitor-2, antisense oligonucleotide, VEGF inhibitors, IGF-1, activeagents from the group of antibiotics such as cefadroxil, cefazolin,cefaclor, cefoxitin, tobramycin, gentamicin, penicillins, dicloxacillin,oxacillin, sulfonamides, metronidazole, antithrombotics, argatroban,aspirin, abciximab, synthetic antithrombin, bivalirudin, coumadin,enoxaparin, GpIIb/IIIa platelet membrane receptor, antibodies to factorX_(a) inhibitor, heparin, hirudin, r-hirudin, PPACK, protamine,prourokinase, streptokinase, warfarin, urokinase, vasodilators,dipyramidole, trapidil, nitroprussides, PDGF antagonists,triazolopyrimidine, seramin, ACE inhibitors, captopril, cilazapril,lisinopril, enalapril, losartan, thioprotease inhibitors, prostacyclin,.vapiprost, interferon α, β and γ, histamine antagonists, serotoninblockers, apoptosis inhibitors, apoptosis regulators, NF-kB or Bcl-xLantisense oligonucleotides, halofuginone, nifedipine, tocopherol,molsidomine, tea polyphenols, epicatechin gallate, epigallocatechingallate, boswellic acids and derivatives thereof, leflunomide, anakinra,etanercept, sulfasalazine, tetracycline, triamcinolone, mutamycin,procainimide, retinoic acid, quinidine, disopyramide, flecainide,propafenone, sotalol, amiodarone, natural and synthetically obtainedsteroids such as bryophyllin A, inotodiol, maquiroside A, ghalakinoside,mansonine, strebloside, hydrocortisone, betamethasone, dexamethasone,fenoprofen, ibuprofen, indomethacin, naproxen, phenylbutazone,acyclovir, ganciclovir, zidovudine, antimycotics, clotrimazole,flucytosine, griseofulvin, ketoconazole, miconazole, nystatin,terbinafine, chloroquine, mefloquine, quinine, natural terpenoids,hippocaesculin, barringtogenol-C21-angelate 14-dehydroagrostistachin,agroskerin, agrostistachin, 17-hydroxyagrostistachin, ovatodiolids,4,7-oxycycloanisomelic acid, baccharinoids B1, B2, B3 and B7,tubeimoside, bruceanol A, B and C, bruceantinoside C, yadanziosides Nand P, isodeoxyelephantopin, tomenphantopin A and B, coronarin A, B, Cand D, ursolic acid, hyptatic acid A, zeorin, iso-iridogermanal,maytenfoliol, effisantin A, excisanin A and B, longikaurin B,sculponeatin C, kamebaunin, leukamenin A and B,13,18-dehydro-6-alpha-senecioyloxychaparrine, taxamairin A and B,regenilol, triptolide, cymarin, apocymarin, aristolochic acid,anopterin, hydroxyanopterin, anemonin, protoanemonin, berberine,cheliburin chloride, cicutoxin, sinococuline, combrestatin A and B,cudraisoflavone A, curcumin, dihydronitidine, nitidine chloride,12-beta-hydroxypregnadiene-3,20-dione bilobol, ginkgol, ginkgolic acid,helenalin, indicine, indicine-N-oxide, lasiocarpine, inotodiol,glycoside 1a, justicidin A and B, larreatin, malloterin,mallotochromanol, isobutyrylmallotochromanol, marchantin A, maytansine,lycoridicin, margetine, pancratistatin, liriodenine, bisparthenolidine,oxoushinsunine, aristolactam-AII, periplocoside A, deoxypsorospermin,psychorubin, ricin A, sanguinarine, manwu wheat acid, methylsorbifolin,chromones of spathelia, stizophyllin, akagerine, dihydrousambaraensine,hydroxyusambarine, strychnopentamine, strychnophylline, usambarine,usambarensine, daphnoretin, lariciresinol, methoxylariciresinol,syringaresinol, umbelliferone, afromoson, acetylvismione B,desacetylvismione A, vismione A and B and at least one pharmacologicallyacceptable carrier, excipient and/or solvent.
 16. Pharmaceuticalcomposition according to claim 15, wherein the surface of thenanoparticles is positively charged.
 17. Pharmaceutical compositionaccording to claim 15 or 16, wherein the nanoparticles are provided witha coating consisting of substances which can be positively polarizedand/or positively ionized.
 18. Pharmaceutical composition according toclaim 15 or 16, wherein the substances which can be positively polarizedand/or positively ionized include amino groups and/or nitrogen atoms.19. Pharmaceutical composition according to claim 15 or 16, wherein thenanoparticles consist of iron oxide, magnetite, maghemite or M(II)Fe₂O₄,wherein M represents Zn, Cu, Co, Ni, Cd, Ba or Mn.
 20. Pharmaceuticalcomposition according to claim 15 or 16, wherein the at least onetherapeutic substance is a cytostatic, cytotoxic agent,antiproliferative agent, antiphlogistic agent, anti-migration agent,antiangiogenic agent, anti-inflammatory agent, antibacterial agent or amicrotubule inhibitor.
 21. Pharmaceutical composition according to claim15 or 16, wherein the pharmaceutical composition is present in aformulation which is suitable for injection or infusion.
 22. Use of thepharmaceutical composition according to claim 15 or 16 for theprophylaxis and/or treatment of cancer diseases.
 23. Use of thepharmaceutical composition according to claim 17 for the prophylaxisand/or treatment of cancer diseases.
 24. Use of the pharmaceuticalcomposition according to claim 18 for the prophylaxis and/or treatmentof cancer diseases.
 25. Use of the pharmaceutical composition accordingto claim 19 for the prophylaxis and/or treatment of cancer diseases. 26.Use of the pharmaceutical composition according to claim 20 for theprophylaxis and/or treatment of cancer diseases.
 27. Use of thepharmaceutical composition according to claim 21 for the prophylaxisand/or treatment of cancer diseases.
 28. Use of a pharmaceuticalcomposition consisting of nanoparticles having a high affinity todegenerated cells, of at least one therapeutically active substance andof at least one pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, excipient and/orsolvent for increasing the activity of anti-cancer drugs.
 29. Use of apharmaceutical composition consisting of nanoparticles having a highaffinity to degenerated cells, of at least one therapeutically activesubstance and of at least one pharmaceutically acceptable carrier,excipient and/or solvent for reducing the side effects of anti-cancerdrugs.
 30. Use of the pharmaceutical composition according to claim 28or 29 for complementing conventional methods for the treatment ofcancers.
 31. Use of the pharmaceutical composition according to claim 28or 29 for carrying anti-cancer drugs into cells.
 32. Use of thepharmaceutical composition according to claim 28 or 29 in hypothermia,magnetic fluid hyperthermia, thermotherapy with magnetic fluids,radiation therapy and/or chemotherapy.
 33. Use of the pharmaceuticalcomposition according to claim 28 or 29, wherein the at least onetherapeutic substance is selected from the group comprising: actinomycinD, aminoglutethimide, amsacrine, anastrozole, antagonists of purine andpyrimidine bases, anthracyclines, aromatase inhibitors, asparaginase,antiestrogens, bexarotene, bleomycin, buserelin, busulfan, camptothecinderivatives, capecitabine, carboplatin, carmustine, chlorambucil,cisplatin, cladribine, cyclophosphamide, cytarabine, cytosinearabinoside, alkylating cytostatics, dacarbazine, dactinomycin,daunorubicin, docetaxel, doxorubicin (adriamycin), doxorubicin lipo,epirubicin, estramustine, etoposide, exemestane, fludarabine,fluorouracil, folic acid antagonists, formestane, gemcitabine,glucocorticoids, goserelin, hormones and hormone antagonists, hycamtin,hydroxyurea, idarubicin, ifosfamide, imatinib, irinotecan, letrozole,leuprorelin, lomustine, melphalan, mercaptopurine, methotrexate,miltefosine, mitomycins, mitosis inhibitors, mitoxantrone, nimustine,oxaliplatin, pentostatin, procarbazine, tamoxifen, temozolomide,teniposide, testolactone, thiotepa, thioguanine, topoisomeraseinhibitors, topotecan, treosulfan, tretinoin, triptorelin, trofosfamide,vinblastine, vincristine, vindesine, vinorelbine, cytostatically activeantibiotics, sirolimus (rapamycin), everolimus, pimecrolimus,somatostatin, tacrolimus, roxithromycin, ascomycin, bafilomycin,erythromycin, midecamycin, josamycin, concanamycin, clarithromycin,troleandomycin, folimycin, cerivastatin, simvastatin, lovastatin,fluvastatin, rosuvastatin, atorvastatin, pravastatin, pitavastatin,4-hydroxyoxycyclophosphamide, bendamustine, thymosin α-1, aclarubicin,fludarabine-5′-dihydrogen phosphate, hydroxycarbamide, aldesleukin,pegaspargase, adriamycin, azithromycin, spiramycin, cepharanthine,epothilone A and B, azathioprine, mycophenolate mofetil, c-mycantisense, b-myc antisense, betulinic acid, camptothecin, melanocytestimulating hormone (α-MSH), activated protein C, IL-1

inhibitor, fumaric acid and esters thereof, dermicidin, calcipotriol,tacalcitol, lapachol, β-lapachone, podophyllotoxin, betulin, podophyllicacid 2-ethyl hydrazide, molgramostim (rhuGM-CSF), peginterferon α-2b,lenograstim (r-HuG-CSF), filgrastim, macrogol, cephalomannine,trastuzumab, basiliximab, daclizumab, selectin (cytokine antagonist),CETP inhibitor, cadherins, cytokinin inhibitors, COX-2 inhibitor,angiopeptin, ciprofloxacin, fluroblastin, bFGF antagonists, probucol,prostaglandins, 1,11-dimethoxycanthin-6-one,1-hydroxy-11-methoxycanthin-6-one, scopoletin, colchicine, NO donors,pentaerythrityl tetranitrate, sydnonimines, S-nitroso derivatives,staurosporine, β-estradiol, α-estradiol, estriol, estrone, ethinylestradiol, fosfestrol, medroxyprogesterone, estradiol cypionates,estradiol benzoates, tranilast, kamebakaurin, verapamil, tyrosine kinaseinhibitors (tyrphostins), ciclosporin A, paclitaxel and derivativesthereof such as 6-α-hydroxy paclitaxel, baccatin, taxotere,mofebutazone, acemetacin, diclofenac, lonazolac, dapsone,o-carbamoyl-pbenoxy-acetic acid, lidocaine, ketoprofen, mefenamic acid,piroxicam, meloxicam, chloroquine phosphate, penicillamine,hydroxychloroquine, auranofin, sodium aurothiomalate, oxaceprol,celecoxib, β-sitosterol, ademetionine, myrtecaine, polidocanol,nonivamide, levomenthol, benzocaine, aescin, ellipticine, D-24851(Calbiochem), colcemid, cytochalasin A-E, indanocine, nocodazole,bacitracin, vitronectin receptor antagonists, azelastine, free nucleicacids, nucleic acids incorporated into virus transmitters, DNA and RNAfragments, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1, plasminogen activatorinhibitor-2, antisense oligonucleotide, VEGF inhibitors, IGF-1, activeagents from the group of antibiotics such as cefadroxil, cefazolin,cefaclor, cefoxitin, tobramycin, gentamicin, penicillins, dicloxacillin,oxacillin, sulfonamides, metronidazole, antithrombotics, argatroban,aspirin, abciximab, synthetic antithrombin, bivalirudin, coumadin,enoxaparin, GpIIb/IIIa platelet membrane receptor, antibodies to factorX_(a) inhibitor, heparin, hirudin, r-hirudin, PPACK, protamine,prourokinase, streptokinase, warfarin, urokinase, vasodilators,dipyramidole, trapidil, nitroprussides, PDGF antagonists,triazolopyrimidine, seramin, ACE inhibitors, captopril, cilazapril,lisinopril, enalapril, losartan, thioprotease inhibitors, prostacyclin,vapiprost, interferon α, β and γ, histamine antagonists, serotoninblockers, apoptosis inhibitors, apoptosis regulators, NF-kB or Bcl-xLantisense oligonucleotides, halofuginone, nifedipine, tocopherol,molsidomine, tea polyphenols, epicatechin gallate, epigallocatechingallate, boswellic acids and derivatives thereof, leflunomide, anakinra,etanercept, sulfasalazine, tetracycline, triamcinolone, mutamycin,procainimide, retinoic acid, quinidine, disopyramide, flecainide,propafenone, sotalol, amiodarone, natural and synthetically obtainedsteroids such as bryophyllin A, inotodiol, maquiroside A, ghalakinoside,mansonine, strebloside, hydrocortisone, betamethasone, dexamethasone,fenoprofen, ibuprofen, indomethacin, naproxen, phenylbutazone,acyclovir, ganciclovir, zidovudine, antimycotics, clotrimazole,flucytosine, griseofulvin, ketoconazole, miconazole, nystatin,terbinafine, chloroquine, mefloquine, quinine, natural terpenoids,hippocaesculin, barringtogenol-C21-angelate 14-dehydroagrostistachin,agroskerin, agrostistachin, 17-hydroxyagrostistachin, ovatodiolids,4,7-oxycycloanisomelic acid, baccharinoids B1, B2, B3 and B7,tubeimoside, bruceanol A, B and C, bruceantinoside C, yadanziosides Nand P, isodeoxyelephantopin, tomenphantopin A and B, coronarin A, B, Cand D, ursolic acid, hyptatic acid A, zeorin, iso-iridogermanal,maytenfoliol, effusantin A, excisanin A and B, longikaurin B,sculponeatin C, kamebaunin, leukamenin A and B,13,18-dehydro-6-alpha-senecioyloxychaparrine, taxamairin A and B,regenilol, triptolide, cymarin, apocymarin, aristolochic acid,anopterin, hydroxyanopterin, anemonin, protoanemonin, berberine,cheliburin chloride, cicutoxin, sinococuline, combrestatin A and B,cudraisoflavone A, curcumin, dihydronitidine, nitidine chloride,12-beta-hydroxypregnadiene-3,20-dione bilobol, ginkgol, ginkgolic acid,helenalin, indicine, indicine-N-oxide, lasiocarpine, inotodiol,glycoside 1a, justicidin A and B, larreatin, malloterin,mallotochromanol, isobutyrylmallotochromanol, marchantin A, maytansine,lycoridicin, margetine, pancratistatin, liriodenine, bisparthenolidine,oxoushinsunine, aristolactam-AII, periplocoside A, deoxypsorospermin,psychorubin, ricin A, sanguinarine, manwu wheat acid, methylsorbifolin,chromones of spathelia, stizophyllin, akagerine, dihydrousambaraensine,hydroxyusambarine, strychnopentamine, strychnophylline, usambarine,usambarensine, daphnoretin, lariciresinol, methoxylariciresinol,syringaresinol, umbelliferone, afromoson, acetylvismione B,desacetylvismione A, vismione A and B.